May

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The word “May” means “is it possible?” As in “May I ____”. However the month, MAY, comes from a Greek goddess of fertility and spring. It made me wonder if I’m going to have a lot of new projects spring forward this month, or if my UFO completion list will increase in numbers? I know, it’s a stretch either way! If you’re curious, you can read more about May HERE.

Island Batik Blog Hop

This week starts the wonderful Quilt Modern Blog Hop. I’ve had a sneak peak of some of quilts and all I can say is “Be prepared to be Amazed!!!”

May 3:

May 4:

May 5:

May 6:

AND

An opportunity to win some awesome Island Batik Fabric from the Forecast collection: Click on the following link.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d463e29d26/

A Quick UFO finish!

This baby panel is now completed and the binding on.

YOUR opinion …

Last week I had a couple of polls asking your opinion on wool mats. Thank you to everyone that completed the polls … The results were very clear. Definitely a 12″ x 18″ mat with rounded corners.

I will let you know when these Canadian made mats are ready.

Design Wall

Piecing

#1  Follow your own path:  I have made the first 4 left facing arrows and the first 4 right facing arrows. I reversed them since I want the shadow (the grey) under the arrows. I’m now double guessing my chose of “Moonstone” as the background. Yes, it’s very pretty, but when cut into small pieces surrounding the arrows, it loses something. Oh well … I shall carry on …

#2 Thailand Batiks  Well, I didn’t receive much help from you all as for suggestions as to what to do. I pulled out a bunch of different Island Batiks and decided on the light purple “Lavender” to use to border the blocks. A bit of fudging here and there and the blocks are ready to sew together. I decided to not use the 5th block. You can see more about these hankies HERE.

Quilting: 

#1 Speed Dating still needs a facing. “Story-less Improv.”

#2 Born to Be Wild (blog hop later this month) is ready for quilting.

Stash Report

The baby panel (above) used 2 yards of fabrics

  • Fabric Used this week     2   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       42 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  33 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – April–  120 / 120
  • May: 2 / 2
  • Percentage = 100 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

Last week:

Again, I did not focus on my “To Do” list … but a couple of things got done.

  1. Focus on the TO DO list  not   done
  2. Follow Your Own Path: first arrows √   done
  3. Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing not   done
  4. Speed Dating: Add facing not   done
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!   √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes   √   done    

This week’s list:

  1.  Follow Your Own Path: work on next step
  2. Thailand Batiks: finish top
  3. Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing
  4. Speed Dating: Add facing
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

PHD in 2021: April Report

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How are you doing with your PHD in 2021?

Sometimes, people will ask me how I get so much done. I ALWAYS end up telling them the same thing: One stitch at a time. I was quilting yesterday as I thought about this. When I was doing the free motion, the stitches were fast a furious, and when I switched to doing the ruler quilting, the stitches were WAY slower and more methodical. But, in both cases, it was one stitch at a time.

I remember last year, when I was learning to piece curved seams, it was like an epiphany when I realized that curved seams take care and take time. However, when I’m putting binding on a quilt, I’m full speed ahead. But still, it’s one stitch at a time.

When I was working full time, sometimes doing 12 plus hours, plus the commute, I would come home and sew for 15 minutes. That’s all. Just 15 minutes. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish with little bits of time! And yes, it was still one stitch at a time.

SEW … if you are struggling at getting something done: Remember, it’ll get done One Stitch At a Time.

As for me? I’m steadily moving right along! My one UFO finish for April was the “Open House” wall hanging.

Linky Party

Link up and show us your PHD in 2021 Progress.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
https://fresh.inlinkz.com/js/widget/load.js?id=a8b40ada7693d64e5923

My Favourite Finish this Month

Was my Island Batik “It’s All Up to You” challenge. You can read more about the challenge quilt HERE.

NEW BLOG HOP

That’s correct, Island Batik ambassadors are bringing you a new blog hop starting Monday! I’ll let you know where to go to see the awesome new fabric collections and the amazing quilts that my fellow ambassadors have made! AND there will be an opportunity to WIN some fabulous fabric!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

******************

Linking to:

Outstanding Blogger Post & Weekly Report

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Emily, from the Darling Dogwood, nominated me! I must confess, someone nominated me a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t find the blog post … sigh … so I didn’t follow up. (Sorry, whoever you are! …) The purpose of the Outstanding Blogger Award is to applaud our fellow bloggers and learn more about them by answering questions that are asked.

Here are the questions that Emily asked:

  1. Do you still have your first quilt? No. I made my first quilt when I was 17. I designed it with scraps in my mother’s scrap drawer and used gingham in part of the blocks. It was backed with the ugliest fabric (translate into cheapest) that we could find. It was tied. I had no idea what I was doing. No one showed me what to do. I used the quilt throughout my years in nursing school. I remember it became the dogs blanket at one point and was either buried with her or destroyed.

2. What is something on your Quilty Bucket List? I’ve always wanted to make a Storm at Sea! And, I hope to make one later this year.

3. Is there a color or fabric style that you really dislike working with? I used to hate working with orange. But orange goes nicely with so many other colours … and when I’m using Island Batik fabrics … well, what can I say … it’s growing on me.

4. Do you have a favorite traditional quilt block? The quick answer to this question is no. I don’t have ONE favourite block. I have several … Log Cabin, Pinwheels, Friendship Star, 8 point star … and the list goes on.

5. What one non-quilting thing about you that your readers might not know? I was a swimming instructor and lifeguard prior to going into nursing school. I also scuba dived at that time. I played the oboe and bassoon when I was in middle and high school.

Who to nominate? I have a zillion blogs that I follow … and I honestly couldn’t say that I know who has or has not been nominated …

  • Anja @ Anja Quilts
  • Velda @ Freckled Fox Quiltery
  • Karen Neary @ Sew Karenly Created
  • Michelle Roberts @ Creative Blonde
  • Jennifer Eurbank @ Jennifersewing.wordpress.com

If you choose to accept the nomination, here are your questions:

  1. What inspired you to make your first quilt?
  2. What inspires you to make your quilts today?
  3. Do you use software to pencil to design your quilts? (or patterns)
  4. Which quilt is your favourite?
  5. Tell us something about where you live that is fantastic!

Scrappy Table Runner is Completed!

Light blue was the chosen colour for this month’s Table Runner. The pattern is from QUILTsocial and you can find it HERE. I also talked about this runner HERE.

After I had this quilt top done, I saw my Studio 180 “Split Recs” ruler. It’s still in the package. I’ll have to pull it out and try it. I suspect that I will prefer the Studio 180 method, but I do need to try it to be sure!

I used Scraps from my Island Batik box with Coconut as the neutral. The batting is Hobbs Poly Down and it is quilted with Aurifil #1148 (light jade). I didn’t have a light blue Aurifil, but the Light Jade was a perfect fit!

I will be linking to The Joyful Quilter.

Continue reading →

Stitchin’ in the Kitchen Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail / 36 Comments

Carla, from “Creatin in the Sticks” is the wonderful organizer for this week’s blog hop: Stitchin in the Kitchen.

I had several ideas of what to make … but none of them felt just right. Then I remembered this apron that was cut-out. It just needed to be sewn together. Nice and simple, right? And for once, it was a simple finish!!!

Here’s the front:

And the back:

The other bloggers in the blog hop:

Make sure that you visit them! Lots of ideas … (and you know that the holiday in December will arrive before you’re ready … you could get started now! )

Monday, April 19th

Tuesday, April 20th


Wednesday, April 21st


Thursday, April 22nd

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

A SQUIRREL ?? !!!! oh no!!!

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

Oh yes!!!

A blogging friend of mine, Sandra, from MMM Quilts is having a quilt-a-long. For a couple of weeks, I’ve been telling myself, “NO … don’t start this quilt.”

Sandra hosts a quilt-a-long every year. And every year, I regret that I didn’t do it! And for awhile, I was pretending that I didn’t want to do it. But who was I kidding?

SEW … this year is different and I’m going to do it!!! Follow Your Own Path! Yup, I’m going to follow my own path and sew along with Sandra!

There are 2 sizes … but I thought the small one would be perfect for a baby quilt! The cutting directions are out. I have pulled my fabric, but haven’t started cutting! The fabrics are all Island Batik. The background is “Moonstone,” an Island Batik basic. The top left and bottom right are from “Primo” by Ebony Love. The top right is a basic called “Lavender” and the bottom left is a nameless fabric, likely a basic. I’m using the solid grey as the shadows of the arrows.

Are you going to join me in this Quilt-A-Long?

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 Blue Table Runner It is started … this is for the monthly Rainbow Scrap Challenge. As you can tell, the first couple of rows are sewn together … the rest is webbed.

One of our guild members posted a link to a website on “Learn to make Half Rectangles with this Easy Technique.” Well, since I didn’t want to be distracted by a squirrel project, and the technique was for a table runner – to me it was an easy decision to try the technique. You can visit QUILTsocial for all of the steps.

I tried to follow the directions, honestly, I did. But I messed up with the marking of 8 of the rectangles, so basically the table runner is backwards. And, I only used 4 fabrics instead of 6 … so I had to play a bit – but it was fun! I always enjoy playing!

And yes, The fabrics are all Island Batik, with Coconut as the background!

#2 June Island Batik Challenge: is in progress and being used as my leaders and enders. (Sorry no pictures).

#3 Follow your own path: As stated above … I have the cutting to do.

Quilting: 

#1 House Wall hanging. This UFO is now pieced and sandwiched. It needs to be quilted.

#2 Speed Dating still needs a facing. “Story-less Improv.”

May Island Batik challenge is quilted and I will give you a sneak peak of it … That’s the only peak you’ll get until my day on the Blog Hop.

Stash Report

May’s Island Batik challenge is completed and I used 4 yards of fabric from my stash for the backing.

  • Fabric Used this week     4   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       39 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  30 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – March –  80 / 80
  • April – 18 / 18
  • Percentage = 100 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

Last week:

Again, I did not focus on my “To Do” list … but a couple of things got done.

  1. House Wall Hanging: finish putting together √   done
  2. Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing not   done
  3. Speed Dating: Add facing not   done
  4. May Island Batik: sandwich and start quilting √   done and bound!
  5. A & A’s quilt: Make extra blocks if decision has been made! not   done
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!    not   done   
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes  √   done    

This week’s list:

  1. Focus on the TO DO list
  2. Cut out Follow Your Own Path
  3. Quilt and finish House Wall Hanging
  4. Healthcare Hero’s Mystery: Make backing
  5. Speed Dating: Add facing
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Later this week:

I’m participating in the “In the Kitchen blog hop” … My project is done. Photo is taken and I just need to write the blog post. My day is April 22 … Thursday!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

SAHRR – Parade Finale!

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SAHRR is the Stay at Home Round Robin that happened on this and several other blogs. 7 bloggers got together and each one decided what the next round would be! SEW fun!

When you do a Round Robin, you are actually the designer. You are given a theme for the round and it’s up to you to decide HOW the round is done. The following quilts will show you the fantastic variety of what each quilter decided to do.

Enjoy!

Continue reading →

Second Monday in April

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

I’ve been busy in the studio!!! Not a day goes by that I’m not working on something!

Design Wall

Piecing

#1 House Wall hanging. I started working on a UFO. It was a little kit in a bag: A cute little house wall hanging. I must admit, that when I opened the bag, I was a bit disappointed with the “green” house colour. See the pale, olivy grunge … well it didn’t do anything for me. I substituted the darker green in the picture on the right. Much better, I think! Unfortunately, I do not remember where I bought this kit.

Continue reading →

BBQG’s Jan/Feb Mystery Quilts

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I have a LOT of finishes to show you. In January, I hosted a mystery quilt for our guild (Boundary Bay Quilt Guild). It’s a lot of fun for me!!! This mystery was written by Sue P … a member of the Peace Arch Quilt Guild. I did it as a mystery several years ago. I repeated it again this year. Thank you, Sue, for permitting me to share this quilt pattern with the guild! This post is dedicated to YOU!!!

I absolutely LOVE how the same design looks SEW very different with different fabrics and different layouts! And THANK YOU to all the guild members that sent me their pictures!

This is Kathy S’s: I love the tree’s!

Continue reading →

TGIFF on the first Friday in April

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

Yes, it’s TGIFF … I LOVE this linky party and host it every so often. It’s a great way to see other bloggers and what they are working on!

I know … I know … some of you are thinking “Wait, is it Friday? I thought it was Thursday!” And you’d be correct. I am posting this on Thursday – so that others around the globe can see it on Friday. Does that make sense?

Unfortunately, I do not have a NEW finish for today, but I have had several finishes this month! Don’t you just love finishes?

My favourite for this month is … well, I have 2. Both of them are made with Island Batik fabrics! The one on the left is my scrappy Starry Irish Chain that was made for March’s Island Batik challenge and the one on the right is my version of the SAHRR. You can read more about them HERE and HERE.

Continue reading →

Almost the end of March

/ quiltinggail / 18 Comments

I had a fun day today, sewing and chatting with other Island Batik Ambassadors. It’s certainly fun getting to know each other! To discuss what we’re working on, what concerns us, and what’s new!

Design Wall

Piecing

Last week, I said that I had nothing on my design wall. Well, that wasn’t exactly the truth … I just had nothing NEW on the design wall … I did have the pieces from the class “Speed Dating with Improv.”

And, they have changed a bit … they are now sewn into a block and need borders.

As we were taking the course, Krista (the instructor) told us to think of a story to help with the assembly. Some of the ladies had fabulous stories and you could see it in their quilt layout. Me? I couldn’t think of a story. On a Zoom chat, (as this was being assembled, someone suggested that I had an apple in the middle. OK … I guess so, if you use your imagination … So, the final title of this little sampler might just be, “Maybe it’s an apple?” OR … what do you see in this sampler? PLEASE tell me …

Quilting: 

My April Island Batik challenge is being quilted. (Sorry – no pictures until April

Stash Report

The SAHRR is finished and although the top is all Island Batik, the back was from my stash … so that used 4.5 yards of fabric. You can read about it on tomorrow’s post!

  • Fabric Used this week     4.5   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       35 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  25 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – February –  59 / 59
  • March – 28 / 28
  • Percentage = 100 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

Last week:

I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!

  1. Finish SAHRR √   done
  2. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …) √   done
  3. Start putting Speed Dating top together √   done
  4. Make Table Runner for the Scrap Challenge – green this month √   done and posted about HERE.
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √   done   
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   done    

This week’s list:

  1. Finish quilting and binding April Island Batik Project
  2. Start A&A’s quilt
  3. Sandwich  Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

I will post more about PHD in 2021 on Wednesday with a linky party for YOU!

What’s coming up on the blog in March and April and May?

Tomorrow!!!!! March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts

And … I’m waiting to find out what colour April will be! Then I’ll think about a table runner!

In April, there’s the “In the Kitchen” blog hop happening!!

Doesn’t this sound like a fun fun, FUN blog hop??? And … I just might have an idea of what I’m going to do!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Salt and Sand Blog Hop and Green Table Topper

/ quiltinggail / 72 Comments

In January, Carol, from Just Let Me Quilt, announced that she’d be hosting this blog hop in March. Of course, I signed up immediately! And, even though I knew that I could change my mind (happens often), I actually had an idea of what I would make for this blog hop! And, surprise, surprise, I didn’t change my mind.

I made this cute little Zipper Bag … It is an Anita Goodesign called “Shadow Work Design.” I altered the design a bit, because I didn’t have any sheer fabric. All of the fabric is from Island Batik (are you surprised???) Most of the bag is made with Coconut – one of their wonderful basics – available all the time. The applique is a small piece from Nautilus Floral-Baja from the Mystery Collection. This is the same collection that I used in February for my “Create for a Cause” challenge. You can view that quilt HERE.

Since I wasn’t about to go to a wet, soggy beach, I took this picture in the front yard. If you use your imagination, the lava rock can represent beach rock and the side of the raised bed could be a log, right?

And, since we have a few flowers blooming, I had to take a picture of it with the flowers! And trust me, those hyacinths smell heavenly!

BLOG HOP

Here’s a list of today’s blog hoppers … Lots of eye candy for you!!!


Just Let Me Quilt
Websterquilt
Samelia’s Mum
Quilt Fabrication
Little Penguin Quilts
Just Sew Quilter
Inflorescence

Monthly Table Topper / Runner Challenge

I had a lot of fun making my March green table runner. I thought I’d try some of the improv blocks I learned from my “Speed Dating” class (see HERE). Using the techniques I learned, it was pretty quick, easy and fun to put together!!! And, no, the quilt I started in the Speed Dating class is not finished … YET!

This used Island Batik fabrics: light and dark grey solids, and the greens were: Marble Frog – BE, Celery, Bubbles: sprout, and 2 other greens that were in my IB scrap bag. The backing is a combination of Celery and Light grey solid. You can see the back HERE. Hobbs 80/20 Cotton batting was used and it was quilted with Aurifil #2600 (Dove).

I must admit that I had a super fun time making this!!! Improv is fun! I like the freedom – anything goes – within my own limits!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

*****************************

Linking to:

The Past Few Days

/ quiltinggail / 15 Comments

Saturday

On Saturday, it was International Quilt Day. Time to hang out a few quilts … It was a bit windy and rainy, but all of the quilts are washable!! And they actually didn’t get too wet!

Sunday

Zoom quilting with my sister and one cousin dropped in for a chat! Both my sister and I worked on quilting our quilts. In the afternoon, I played with green fabric. I have a green table topper / runner challenge to meet this month. On the right is a picture of the back … Amazingly, I managed to finish it this evening!

Design Wall

Piecing

Would you believe that I’m NOT piecing anything at the moment? What is wrong??? I guess I’m just concentrating on getting some UFOs done. However, I have plans for an Island Batik project and haven’t even pulled fabric for it yet … and I can’t tell you what it’s going to be, because it’s a secret!

Quilting: 

SAHRR is in the process of being quilted!!!

Stash Report

I finished the T-shirt quilt. Between the backing, the hanging sleeve and the binding, I used over 12 yards of fabric!

You can read more about this quilt HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      12   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       30.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  21.5 yards 
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – February –  59 / 59
  • March – 21 / 21
  • Percentage = 100 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

Last week:

I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!

  1. Get Echo Lake T-shirt  quilt finished. √   done   
  2. Sandwich SAHRR √   done
  3. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …) NOT done
  4. Arrange Speed Dating top ? in progress ….
  5. Work on Salt and Sand project! √   done
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √   done   
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √   done    I did a major clean up and vacuum!!! There were little pieces and bits of T-shirts everywhere! And I trimmed up all the left-over t-shirts into squares or retangles for cleaning rags or whatever … they are being sent up to the camp with the T-shirt quilt.

This week’s list:

  1. Finish SAHRR
  2. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
  3. Start putting Speed Dating top together
  4. Make Table Runner for the Scrap Challenge – green this month
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

Another UFO completed … but there are a few new Starts that need to be completed.

What’s coming up on the blog in March and April?

Salt and Sand Blog Hop … This project is done and ready for the hop. My day is Friday, March 26 ! Visit THIS BLOG to see a list of this week’s participants.

March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts

And … I’m ready for the March challenge!

In April, there’s the “In the Kitchen” blog hop happening!!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

Blustery Friday

/ quiltinggail / 34 Comments

The wind is blowing … a LOT!!! I’m glad that I took pictures of my finished quilt the other day!

This is the Echo Lake T-shirt quilt. There are lots of different T-shirts. Some are repeated, in different colours.

As I was working on this quilt, I was continually amazed at the work / service that each T-shirt represents. From the inception of the theme, creating the artistic logos … wow!!! Then there is the various speakers each summer that address the theme, the campers and leaders that listen, the music and songs, the people in charge of activities (archery, climbing wall, crafts, etc), the kitchen staff, the caretaker and grounds people. So many people!!! And there are people that attend the spring clean-up, those that generously donate time and/or money. And, not to forget those that don’t set a foot on the camp grounds, but pray for the campers and all the workers. And, I’ve probably left out many more people that are also involved!

Our 2 kids went to Echo Lake years ago. When they first started going, it was tents on wooden platforms. I remember the first year they build the cabins … there was open rafters … our son broke his arm swinging from them! Don’t ask … if you knew my son, you would totally understand this! Tons and tons of memories!!!

Anyhow, it was an honour to make this quilt / banner. It is HUGE … over 8′ wide and about 5.5 ‘ high. It is far from perfect! Nothing I make is ever close to perfect, but the T-shirt fabric added an extra challenge!

Continue reading →

Middle Monday in March

/ quiltinggail / 26 Comments

Lots of things happening here. All in my studio … no travelling …

Teaching

On Friday, I taught a Scrappy Irish Chain class. It’s the first class I’ve taught by Zoom. It was a lot of fun! And the ladies were wonderful!

There are 2 things that I did not like about teaching via Zoom and both of these help me in reducing my own stash!

  1. I couldn’t walk around the group with a bunch of my own 2″ or 2.5″ squares and give them to everyone to include in their own quilt.
  2. I couldn’t take a huge box of scraps and tell everyone that I wanted the box empty after the class.

I make 4 patches as leaders and enders … and occasionally, they work into a quilt. I have a lot of Irish Chain pieces and they were put back in the box until I teach this class again.

As I was demo-ing various parts, I managed to get some of the components sewn. This is 9 completed blocks.

Design Wall

Piecing

Then on Saturday, I took a class “Speed Dating with Improv” with Krista Hennebury @ Poppyprint. I don’t do Improv … I’ve not been too interested in Improv … but … it doesn’t hurt to learn something new, right? But, to be brutally honest: I was scared!!! Improv is so out of my box!!!

However, I certainly felt a LOT different after the class!!! We cut things free hand. Yes, straight lines and curves!!! With NO rulers!!!! The piecing doesn’t have to match!!! Woo Hoo!!! After years of attempting to get great points and to match corners … it didn’t matter!!! It was a LOT of fun!!!! If you’re interested in Improv, check out Krista’s classes @ Poppyprint.

I used Island Batik solids: black, white and turquoise.

Here’s a picture of what’s on my design wall. Now, to organize and arrange and put all the fillers in.

Quilting: 

The T-shirt quilt is now a pieced top … and is sandwiched. There is a TON of stretch with the T-shirts – even though they all have interfacing on the back. They still stretch! Sew, I thought I’d use Hobbs fusible batting with the hopes that it would decrease the stretch. However, there is the issue of using heat on top of the logos. Sew, I used a pressing cloth. It took 2 full days to press everything … and it didn’t always stick very well. Sew, a lot of pins were inserted!

I started out with a Schmetz 90/14 quilting needle. It didn’t like it. Then, once I re-thought what I was sewing through … T-shirt material, iron-on interfacing, fusible batting and cotton backing … a light bulb went off in my brain and I switched to a ball point needle (Janome blue-tip). Much better!

Then there was issues with the thread. I started off with Glide … it bunched up above the needle and broke a ton!! Then I switched to the same colour in a CanSew polyester thread … same problem. Finally, I switched to Aurifil and viola! It’s the perfect thread for this quilt.

Here’s some pictures of me quilting the quilt! It’s big … it’s over 6′ x 8′. It will be a wall hanging / banner.

Stash Report

The Moorewood Mystery is finished. It used 12 yards from my stash. You can read about it HERE.

  • Fabric Used this week      12   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       18.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                  9.5 yards (YAY … no longer in the red!)
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – February –  59 / 59
  • March – 14 /1 4
  • Percentage = 100 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

Last week:

I accomplished everything on my To Do List!!!

  1. Pick out a backing for  SAHRR √   done   
  2. Finish quilting Moorewood Mystery √   done
  3. Get the Echo Lake T-shirt top completed √   done
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Get Echo Lake T-shirt  quilt finished.
  2. Sandwich SAHRR
  3. Borders on Healthcare Hero’s Mystery (this is for the guild …)
  4. Arrange Speed Dating top
  5. Work on Salt and Sand project!
  6. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  7. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

One UFO completed … but the list in Starts in 2021 is getting longer …

What’s coming up on the blog in March?

Salt and Sand Blog Hop … Just thinking of this blog hop makes me want to travel and visit someplace warm! But alas, I’ll be staying home for now. But, I’m positive when we get to travel, I will appreciate it much much more!

March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts

And … I need to think of my project for the Table Runner Scrap Challenge:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to:

A Friday UFO Finish!!!

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I made the Moorewood Mystery, designed and hosted by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs. This pattern is extremely well written. The monthly instructions are easy to follow and very doable during the month! The pattern is available on the website. Thank you Cheryl for this unique and fun design!

This quilt counted as one of my UFOs because it could not be completed in 2020 … (my own rules as to what makes a UFO).

Quilt Stats

  • Size: 60.5″ x 72.5″
  • It is quilted with a beige thread – Aurifil 2000.
  • The quilting is simple swirls in the background and all of the coloured shapes are outlined. Nothing fancy … but I really like how it looks!
  • The batting is Hobbs 80/20.
  • The fabrics are Kansas Troubles that have been sitting in my stash for … um … well … ya … at least 10 years … I think!!!! And, for some reason, the container with the Kansas Troubles fabric is still pretty full!!!

And a closeup of the quilting:

I was Featured

Jennifer featured the quilt with all the ruler quilting on it. You can read more about it HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

*****************************

Linking to:

A Good Sewing Day!

/ quiltinggail / 16 Comments

You know, it’s always a good sewing day when I get to sew with family and/or friends! These days, with no in person retreats or sew days, it’s great to have Zoom!

Design Wall

Piecing

I was Zoom quilting with my sister and 2 cousins … it sure helped keep my on track. I’m working on the T-shirt quilt. It’s not an easy quilt to work on. I’m trying to fit things together … however, I have not sworn (OUT LOUD) and so, it can’t be all that bad. However, I did watch a youtube video of Angela Walters making a T-shirt quilt and thought that would have been a way easier way to make one … but alas … I did want to use ALL of the T-shirts I was given … and they all seem to fit in – sort-of! Even though they are backed with interfacing, there is still a lot more stretch than with quilting cotton!

Oh – and just in case you didn’t know, it’s for Echo Lake Bible camp that is situated between Vanderhoof and Fort St. James in the middle of British Columbia. Our kids went there as campers eons ago and a good friend of ours is the director.

So the pile of t-shirts became a zillion different shaped blocks.

Quilting: 

Quilting has started on the Moorewood Mystery. Swirls and straight lines … nice and simple!

Stash Report

I did finish my 2 Island Batik March projects (you can read about them HERE) but since they totally use Island Batik fabrics, I didn’t count them as fabric used this week … So the numbers don’t change!

  • Fabric Used this week      0   yards
  • Fabric Used this year:       6.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:  0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      9 yards  (my husbands amounts as well)
  • Net Fabric used                   – 2.5 yards
  • Husband’s purchases:  0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!

Stitchin’ Time

I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.

I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day

  • January – February –  59 / 59
  • March – 7 / 7
  • Percentage = 100 % 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.

Last week:

  1. Complete final round of SAHRR  √   done
  2. Finish  March’s Island Batik challenge  √   done
  3. Start quilting Moorewood Mystery  √   done
  4. Cut all the t-shirts and iron on interfacing for the Echo Lake t-shirt quilt.  √   done
  5. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS!  √   done
  6. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes      √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Pick out a backing for  SAHRR
  2. Finish quilting Moorewood Mystery
  3. Get the Echo Lake T-shirt top completed
  4. Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! 
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes

There are actually 3 UFOs that are currently in progress! Does that mean they will be finished soon? I’d like to dream that they will be!

What’s coming up on the blog in March?

Salt and Sand Blog Hop … Just thinking of this blog hop makes me want to travel and visit someplace warm! But alas, I’ll be staying home for now. But, I’m positive when we get to travel, I will appreciate it much much more!

March 29 – SAHRR parade … there will be a linky party for all the SAHRR quilts

And … I need to think of my project for the Table Runner Scrap Challenge:

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

Linking to: